I was a little surprised by the Big Island.  I had been to Maui before and I knew that the Hawaiian islands were created from volcanoes.  But, the big island is only 400k years old versus 4M+ years for Maui.  So the landscape is soooo Sudbury like (wonder if Sudbury should market itself as the Hawaii of the North).  I guess a few hundred thousands years is not enough for vegetation to spring up.

The island is like this all along the west side (the dry side).  Basically rock.  Of course, on the wet side it is a lot more lush (just like everywhere else in Hawaii...

We left Maui ad our favorite island for a new one - the big island.   Last pics of Maui 

And, then we flew over to the big island in time for a great sunset:

We stayed at a disney-like resort (the Hilton) on the big island.  It reminded me of Disney since it had pretty much everything contained in their mutli-plex.  You even had to take either a train or boat to your hotel tower.

But, this 10-15 minute tour proved to be a pain when you didn't pack everything you needed for your whole trip (oops - forgot the car keys so I will be back in a half hour guys).

Today we snorkled - the kids loved it...me too.

Then, it was down to the beach for dinner.

The kids

Dad and daughter

Ah.  A quick tour and then a day at the beach...No, wait...Shopping (thanks Mommy)...

Yes, it started out as a day just to lounge after a brief tour of the rainforest

but ended up as a long shopping trip in the AM.  Followed by a very nice swim in the ocean and pool in the afternoon. 

Why is it that my kids need to be jumping on me the whole time in the water though?!?!  Seriously though, I think we regret not doing the tour of Hana  -  we thought the kids too young to enjoy it but I think they would have been OK - maybe not me with our piece-de-crap Dodge we are renting...

Finished off the day at my favorite restaurant in Maui - Mama's Fish House.  Had a little curried fish...Very tasty.  And with a $310 bill for four it was expensive.  But, it is this house right on the beach, with great food and service.  Well worth it even for a cheapskate like me.

Today we hit the ziplines and then the beach.

We get to the top of the 1st zipline and Aidan decides it is too high for him.

I try to convince him.  And I almost have him as he climbs up the tower for the 2nd time...But no luck...

Mommy tries to convince him.  But no.  He follows us for a few zips.  I tell him he may be scared but he will regret it later in the afternoon or just a week or two down the road.

He finally has "the look"

Success!  He zips and loves it.  Well worth the lesson of conquering your fears to have done this.  (on the way down he even gets stuck - too light - and has to spend an extra 5-10 minutes waiting for me to slide back and throw him a tow rope)...Way ta go Aidan!

Another day in paradise...26-28 degrees celsius and nice to sit by the pool (with swim up bar), catch the scenery, visit the Ocean Center or whatever...

Well, we get to the airport an hour ahead and the lady at the counter says "ya know you gotta be here an hour ahead..." 

"Uuuh, that's what we are" I replied trying not to poke the bear.  But we were on time.  Good thing too, she can't find our Chicago to Maui flights. 

So, we spend 15 minutes with her running back and forth and she finally gets her supervisor.  He looks for a bit, can't find them either...Look at watch to see how close we are cutting it...He goes back and forth a few times and tells us we will have to call from Chicago since Aeroplan is not open yet...Oh, this sounds fun! ...Look at watch to see how close we are cutting it...He finally finds tickets and sends us to push our baggage through.

Baggage guy gets 3 cases through but fourth does not want to be scanned...Look at watch to see how close we are cutting it...HE goes to supervisor for another 5 minutes to sort it out...Look at watch to see how close we are cutting it...Finally the bag goes and we get to go to security....Look at watch to see how close we are cutting it...

Ask three different security guys if we need to cut line..."no, no, plenty of time"...Look at watch to see how close we are cutting it...Holy geez...Get through security (outta my way old man if you can't get your shoes off......Look at watch to see how close we are cutting it...

Then we get to immigration...Look at watch to see how close we are cutting it...Ask some more security people if we need to get fast-tracked...Finally Bobbi takes hold of the situation and talks to a lady on duty.  She rushes us to the front and we rush through security.  Aidan and I dash ahead as we are hearing "Last call for the Larock family" - and why do gates have to be at the far end of the airport???  Anyway, we make it on, girls follow.  All is good...Until we get to Chicago and have to basically bolt across the aiport to make the connection...

But you get there and the first look is all worth it...

Friday December 11, 2009

We left for Montreal today.  That's where we fly out of (bless those aeroplan tickets).  Great weather to leave behind though.

After a short jaunt on the train (which we weren't sure we would get on because our luggage was too big) we arrived at Dorval. 

The Aloft in Dorval is nice,

But what are ya gonna do with kids all day waiting for the next day's flight?  Well you go to the airport of course.  A great night of take-out was had by all and then mommy discovered that Kendra had gone through her suitcase when she took a shower.  Bobbi is now wondering if the grandparents want to take the kids back to Ottawa while we go to Hawaii.

Plane ride tomorrow at 7AM.  Maui next stop.

Soooo tired.  But can't go to bed because Bobbi is still up.  Why do husbands have to stay up just because our wife has squandered the evening away?....

Doesn't she look happy that I am helping her by taking a picture to remember the moment?

So tired...

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